Ten Years Ago, One More Moment Granted Its First Moment
• Jason Pohlonski, Founder & Executive Director

Ten Years Ago, One More Moment Granted Its First Moment

Ten years ago, One More Moment granted its first Moment.

His name was Bruce Reynolds.

The request came from Bruce’s friend, Mike Hanes, who reached out because Bruce had one very specific wish: he wanted to meet Zenyatta.

At the time, One More Moment was brand new. We had never granted a Moment before. We did not have a polished process. We did not have a roadmap. We did not know exactly how we were going to make it happen.

In those early days, One More Moment was essentially me, Simone Goga, and Carrie House, trying to build something worthy of the people who trusted us with these requests. Simone carried so much of the communication with families before and after Moments. She listened, supported, comforted, and built real relationships with the people One More Moment served.

We just knew this mattered.

Bruce, Mike, and Bruce’s mom were in Evansville, Indiana. Zenyatta was at Lane’s End in Kentucky. Somehow, we needed to help get them there.

With help from Bruce’s nurse, we were connected with SUV Limousine in Evansville, and they stepped up to help make the trip possible. Carrie helped coordinate with Lane’s End, traveled down with me, drove, took photos, and was fully part of the day, not fully knowing what to expect, but hoping Bruce would at least have the chance to see Zenyatta.

What happened was more than we could have hoped for.

Bruce did not just see Zenyatta.

He got to meet her.
He got to pet her.
He got to feed her.

The team at Lane’s End welcomed Bruce with kindness, gave the group a tour, and made the day feel like something truly special.

For anyone who follows horse racing, Zenyatta is not just another horse. She is one of the greatest Thoroughbreds of all time, a champion mare known for winning 19 of her 20 races and becoming the first female horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

For Bruce, meeting her was the Moment.

For One More Moment, it was the beginning.

The Moment That Started Everything

Looking back ten years later, I still think about how much we did not know.

We did not know how many people would be willing to help.
We did not know how emotional these Moments would become.
We did not know how deeply the families would stay connected to the mission.
We did not know that this first request would help shape the next decade of One More Moment.

But Bruce’s Moment showed us something we still believe today.

A Moment does not have to be about extravagance. It does not have to be about doing the biggest thing possible.

It is about doing the thing that matters.

For Bruce, that meant meeting Zenyatta.

For someone else, it may be one more family dinner, one more sporting event, one more visit to a favorite place, one more day near the water, or one more quiet afternoon with the people they love.

The details change.

The meaning does not.

Bruce Reynolds, Mike Hanes, and Bruce’s mom before the first One More Moment wish

Ten Years Later

Bruce passed away shortly after his visit with Zenyatta.

We were later told that strands from Zenyatta’s mane were placed with him.

That detail has stayed with me for ten years.

Because it says everything about what a Moment can become.

It is not just an event.
It is not just a trip.
It is not just a nice thing someone did.

It becomes part of a family’s story.

It becomes something people remember, talk about, and carry with them.

Bruce’s mom and brother have stayed connected to One More Moment over the years. Mike’s post this week brought that video back into view, and seeing people respond to it again reminded me why this work still matters.

This was our first Moment.

It was not powerful because we were experienced.

It was powerful because people cared enough to say yes.

Mike cared enough to ask.
Bruce’s nurse cared enough to connect us.
SUV Limousine cared enough to help get them there.
Lane’s End cared enough to welcome Bruce fully.
Simone cared enough to walk closely with families through the emotional parts of this work.
Carrie cared enough to help make the day happen and preserve it in photos.
I was lucky enough to witness it.

And Bruce gave One More Moment its beginning.

Carrie House, Bruce Reynolds, and Jason Pohlonski during the first One More Moment wish

Why We Keep Going

This year, One More Moment is entering a renewed season.

We have refreshed the website, clarified the mission, and started rebuilding the systems that will help us reach more families, more referral partners, and more donors across Michigan and beyond.

But the heart of the mission has not changed.

One More Moment exists to help adults facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer create meaningful Moments with the people they love.

Bruce’s Moment reminds us why.

Ten years later, I am still grateful for Bruce, for Mike, for Bruce’s family, for Simone, for Carrie, for everyone who helped make that first day possible, and for every person who has believed in this mission since.

That first Moment set the tone for everything we hope to continue building.

Time matters.
Dignity matters.
Connection matters.
One more memory matters.

And sometimes, one Moment can echo for ten years.

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About the Author

Jason Pohlonski is the Founder and Executive Director of One More Moment, a Michigan-based nonprofit created to help adults facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer experience meaningful Moments with the people they love.

One More Moment was inspired by Jason’s personal experience with his mother’s cancer journey and the realization that, near the end of life, even a simple moment together can mean everything. Through One More Moment, Jason and the organization work to provide dignity, connection, and meaningful experiences for adults and families navigating late-stage cancer.

About One More Moment

One More Moment grants meaningful wish experiences for adults in Michigan who are facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer and who lack the resources to create that Moment on their own.

Every request is reviewed with care. Eligibility may include Michigan residency, a qualifying cancer diagnosis, financial or logistical need, and confirmation from an oncology provider.

Nonprofit Verification

One More Moment is a registered nonprofit organization. Visitors can verify the organization through official nonprofit resources, including the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search and Candid/GuideStar.

Privacy and Medical Information

One More Moment respects the privacy of every applicant, family, and referral partner. Medical and personal information submitted through a Moment request is used only to review eligibility and coordinate the request.

For more details, please review our Privacy Policy.

Contact

One More Moment
Founder & Executive Director: Jason Pohlonski
Website: https://www.onemoremoment.org